The Theory of Plate Tectonics



Vocabulary


scientific theory-well-tested concept that explains a wide-range of observations
Plate Tectonics-geological theory that states that pieces of Earth's Lithosphere are in constant,slow motion,driven by convection currents in the mantle
Plates-the Lithosphere broken into seperate sections
Faults-breaks in the Earth's crust where rocks have slipped past each other
Transform Boundary-a place where two plates slip past each other
Divergent Boundary-a place where 2 plates move apart
Convergent Boundary-a place where 2 plates come together
rift valley-forms along a divergent boundary

Outline


Intro


      • J.Tuzo Wilson observed that there are cracks in the continents similar to those on the ocean floor
      • the lithosphere has been broken into seperate sections called plates

The theory of Plate Motion

      • The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation,movement, and Subduction of Earth's plates

Plate Boundaries

    • Transform boundaries
      • Earthquakes occur frequently along these boundaries
    • Divergent boundaries
      • these boundaries mostly occur on the mid-ocean ridge and sometimes on land
    • Convergent boundaries
      • these boundaries occur on land
      • three types of convergent boundaries:continental crust and oceanic crust,Oceanic crust and oceanic crust,continental crust and continental crust

The Continents' Slow Dance

      • plates move about 1-10 cm.each year




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